St David's Day 2016: everything you need to know about Wales' patron saint - Telegraph Wales St David's Day 2016: everything you need to know about Wales' patron saint March 1st is when people around the world celebrate the patron saint of Wales, but what do we know about the man and why do we remember him? 8:30AM GMT 02 Mar 2016 When is St Davids Day? St David's Day is celebrated annually on March 1st. It is the day when the people of Wales celebrate their patron saint, St David. St David's Day is held on March 1st every year Photo: Getty Images Maj. Tim Peake sends a St David's Day message from the International Space Station! More St David's Day messages Happy #StDavidsDay to you all - a great day to celebrate all things Welsh. We have much to be very proud of — Carwyn Jones (@fmwales) March 1, 2016 Happy #StDavidsDay to all my compatriots around the world. A big day for me 51 years ago.

#ItsNotUnusual pic.twitter.com/MowfJfU0kd — Tom Jones (@RealSirTomJones) March 1, 2016 This #StDavidsDay there are unconfirmed reports of a #Welsh dragon over Heathrow. Have you seen it? pic.twitter.com/thuIb8dEuL — Heathrow Airport (@HeathrowAirport) March 1, 2016 Happy St David's Day :)) — Peter Andre (@MrPeterAndre) March 1, 2016 Dydd Gwyl Dewi hapus iawn i chi gyd. Happy St Davids day to you all my fellow Welshies. Wherever u are in the World never forget your Welsh — Nigel Owens (@Nigelrefowens) March 1, 2016 Happy St Davids day! Us @WelshRugbyUnion lads are listening to a mixture of @Manics @stereophonics and @kenctsowens signing this morning — England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) March 1, 2016 Who was St David? Was he Welsh? St David is the patron saint of Wales and also of doves.

Also known as Dewi Sant in Welsh, he was born in Caerfai in Pembrokshire, Wales to Sant, a prince of Cardigan, and St Non, the daughter of a chieftain in around 500 AD. He was recognised as a national patron saint at the height of Welsh resistance to the Normans. St David studied under St Paulinus in Cardigan, before he went on pilgrimages, travelling to Wales, Cornwall, Britanny, Ireland and Jerusalem, where he was made an archbishop. He helped to spread the word of Christianity, and he founded around 12 monastaries in his lifetime. He also helped to suppress Pelegrian heresy, where people believed that original sin did not taint human nature and people are capable of choosing good or evil without divine aid. Monastaries founded by him were known for their extreme asceticism, where monks abstained from worldly pleasures, living on a diet of bread, vegetables, water and milk. They also did all hard labour themselves, including farming without the aid of ox to plow the fields. While little is known about St David's life, he is known for performing miracles.

His most famous miracle was when he was preaching to a large crowd at the Synod of Brefi and raised the ground beneath him into a hill so his sermon could be heard by all. St David also lived after eating bread poisoned by monks at his monastary who tired of their life of austerity, and restored the sight of his tutor, St Paulinus. In medieval times, St David was thought to be the nephew of King Arthur. In some stories, it is his mother who was the niece of King Arthur. Legend also says that St Patrick foresaw David's birth. St David is thought to have died on March 1, 589 AD, and his remains were buried in St David's Cathedral in Pembrokeshire, which was a popular place of pilgrimage after he was canonised in 1120 AD. St David's Cathedral in Pembrokeshire His shrine was removed by Vikings in the 10th and 11th centuries, and a new shrine constructed in its place in the 13th Century. Two pilgrimages to his shrine at St David's Cathedral is thought to be equivalent to a pilgrimage to the Vatican and three are equivalent to a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.

St David has been patron saint of Wales since the 12th century - he was canonised by Pope Callixtus in 1120. Of the patron saints of the British Isles, only St David and St Patrick had visited the country they are the patron saint for. St Patrick was a Romano-British missionary, St George was a Roman soldier of Greek extraction and St Andrew was from Palestine. Symbols and images associated with St David The flag of St David is a yellow cross on a black background. On St David's Day, the flag of St David and Y Ddraig Goch (the Red Dragon, Wales's national flag), will be flown more than usual. Images of St David often depict him on a hill with a white dove on his shoulder. The dove represents the Holy Spirit which gifted St David with eloquent speech when he preached. Some stories say the dove is depicted because a love landed on his shoulder on the day he miraculously raised a hill to preach. People often wear leeks in remembrance of St David's guidance during the battle against the Saxons when, supposedly, St David advised Welsh warriors to wear a leek during a battle with the Saxons, so enemies and allies could be distinguished.

They won the battle and leeks became a Welsh symbol. Famous last words During St David's last sermon he said words to his followers were: "Be joyful, and keep your faith and your creed. Do the little things that you have seen me do and heard about. I will walk the path that our fathers have trod before us." "Do the little things" has become a well-known inspirational saying in Wales. 11 incredible things to do in Wales Is St David's Day a public holiday? No. While St Andrew's Day in Scotland and St Patrick's Day in Northern Ireland are public holidays, St George's Day in England and St David's Day in Wales are not. In 2007 Tony Blair rejected calls for St David’s Day to become a bank holiday, despite a poll revealing that 87 per cent of Welsh people wanted a March 1 holiday. School children used to be given a half-day holiday, and in some parts of Wales, this tradition continues. How is St David's day celebrated?

The 17th century diarist Samuel Pepys noted how Welsh celebrations in London for St David's day would spark wider counter-celebrations amongst their English neighbours, with life-sized effigies of Welshmen being symbolically lynched. A woman wearing traditional Welsh clothing By the 18th century the custom had arisen of confectioners producing "Taffies" – gingerbread figures baked in the shape of a Welshman riding a goat - on St David's Day. These days, St David's Day is celebrated mainly in Wales or large populations Welsh expats living outside the UK. People celebrate St David's day by wearing a daffodil, the national symbol of Wales, or a leek, St David's personal symbol. In Wales people, particularly children, wear traditional Welsh costume. Girls wear a petticoat and overcoat, made of Welsh flannel, and a tall hat, worn over a frilled bonnet. Boys wear a white shirt, a Welsh flannel waistcoat, black trousers, long wool socks and black shoes. The outfits originated during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Children in Wales enjoy traditional Welsh dances, sing Welsh folk songs and recite Welsh poems, and take part in school concerts or eisteddfodau. The men of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards receive miniature paper leeks, a St David's Day tradition started in 1915 Photo: Drew Gardner Welsh regiments in the British army traditionally eat raw leeks on March 1st to celebrate their patron saint. What's happening today? St David's Day parades occur throughout the country. In Cardiff a parade makes its way through the centre, with fiery performances from dragons, and ends with the national anthem, Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau, outside St David's Hall. The procession will travel under Boulevard de Nantes, then around Queen Street, turn into Working Street, then past the market into The Hayes, before coming to an end at St David's Hall. — Business Wales (@_businesswales) February 26, 2016 Many castles and heritage sites open their doors for the celebrations, and St David's Bishops Palace, near his final resting place, holds a mini festival in honour of St David.

Cardiff's St David's Day run Since 2003, an annual St David's Day run has been held in and around Bute Park, in Cardiff. The event is held on the closest Sunday to St David's Day, and this year takes place on 28th February. The run originally was just a 5K and 1K run but in 2009, a 10K class was added. Many participants choose to dress up in traditional costume and choose to raise money for a local charity. They speak Welsh in Argentina? Welsh expats can be found around the world, but many have emigrated to the United States, in particular Ohio, Idaho and Pennsylvania. Nearly 150 years ago, on July 28 1865, more than 150 Welsh-speaking men, women and children landed at what is now Puerto Madryn on the Atlantic coast of Argentine Patagonia.

Red dragons can be seen in the windows of tea houses and guest accommodation in Welsh Patagonia They had sailed in May from Liverpool on the Mimosa, a converted tea clipper, with the intention of establishing a community where they could practise their language and faith free from the dictates of “English” government. Patagonia, their leaders had assured them, was much like the green and fertile lowlands of Wales. In truth, it was a hard, inhospitable place where water was hard to come by and there were no trees to fell for fuel or building. At Disneyland Paris, the annual St David Welsh Fest celebrates the patron saint's day. Mickey and Minnie wear traditional Welsh costumes. There will also be food, drink, dancing and fireworks on March 1. Dydd Gwyl Dewi Sant! We may be the only place in the whole of the #middleeast to get yourself? — The Scene Dubai (@thescenedubai) February 18, 2016 In the Middle East, The Scene Dubai may be the only place to find traditional Welsh food on St David's Day.

A special menu will be served at the restaurant on March 1st, with everything from laver bread to bara brith. What are the lyrics to Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau, the Welsh national anthem? Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau, translated in English as ‘Land of my Fathers’, was written in 1856 by Evan James and his son, James James, from Pontypridd. Welsh rugby and football crowds are regularly heard singing their national anthem before international matches. The first recorded occasion of the anthem being sung at an international sporting event was in 1905, at a rugby match between Wales and New Zealand at Cardiff Arms Park. Here are the lyrics, in Welsh, followed by an English translation. The Welsh national anthem How to make the perfect Welsh cakes These little icons of the Welsh table are delicious as they are, spread with butter, or served with a couple of leeks and a little cheese for a savoury teatime treat. Welsh cakes can be eaten any day of the year, but also form part of the St David's Day celebrations. The world record for the largest Welsh cake ever made was set on St David's Day in 2014.

Four chefs in Bala, Gwynedd, North Wales, baked a 1.5metre wide (5ft) cake, which weighed 21.7kg (48lbs). The cake was cut into more than 200 pieces and sold for charity. The best recipes for St David's Day Here are some more great recipes to try on 1st March. Welsh recipes ...and how about a Welsh smoothie (with cockles)? A Welsh superfood smoothie made from purple sprouting broccoli, savoy cabbage, leeks, welsh honey and erm...cockles has gone on sale in Prestatyn for St David’s Day. The smoothie, created by Nova Prestatyn – a leisure centre in North Wales – to celebrate its launch, is "the perfect supplement for health conscious visitors". All vegetable ingredients are locally grown in the Welsh Superfood Smoothie are supplied by Bellis Brothers Farm Shop and Garden Centre in Wrexham. Today's Google Doodle celebrates St David's Day Each component in the illustration represents a unique aspect of Wales’ culture and national symbology. The ancient lettering and Celtic knot are a nod to Celtic art’s importance in Welsh culture.

The daffodil, Wales’ national flower, features prominently in St. David’s Day celebrations across the world and no St. David’s Day Doodle would be complete without the Welsh dragon, which adorns the national flag. The dragon is quite possibly Wales’ most enduring national symbol. And finally...Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus! HAPPY ST DAVID'S DAY! to everyone celebrating today, throughout Wales and beyond. St. David's Day in United Kingdom Home Calendar Holidays United Kingdom St. David's Day St. David's Day in United Kingdom People in Wales and those of Welsh origin celebrate the life of their patron saint, St David, and the Welsh culture on March 1 each year. Many people pin a daffodil or leek to their clothes and some, especially children, wear traditional costumes. Daffodils are sometimes pinned on clothes on St David's Day. Daffodils are sometimes pinned on clothes on St David's Day. ©iStockphoto.com/pixonaut What Do People Do? St David is the patron saint of Wales. March 1 is a day of celebration of both St David’s life and of the Welsh culture in Wales and in countries such as Canada and the United States.

Many people attend special church services, parades, choral recitals or Welsh literature readings. Schools plan celebrations, often involving choirs, on the day. The Welsh flag, a red dragon on a white and green background, is displayed prominently and a festive mood prevails. Children, particularly girls, and some adults wear traditional costume. Other people may pin a daffodil or a leek to their clothes as these are symbols of Wales. The traditional meal on St David's Day is cawl. This is a soup that is made of leek and other locally grown produce. Public Life St David's Day is not a public holiday in the United Kingdom or countries such as Canada and the United States. Therefore government offices, schools, post offices and businesses are open. However, it is a day of celebration so many schools, institutions and even businesses will have a special program for the day. Some villages and towns hold special parades so there may be some local disruption to traffic or public transport. Background St David plays a very important role in Welsh culture but little is known about his life.

It is believed that he lived to be 100 years old and that he died in 589, but the first texts on his life only appeared around five hundred years after his death. This means that it is difficult to tell which aspects of the St David’s story are true and which are legend. He was supposed to have been very gentle and physically strong and tall despite eating a frugal diet. His parents were Sant, the grandson of a prince of Ceredigion in south-west Wales, and Non, a niece of the legendary King Arthur. St David travelled widely throughout Wales, Cornwall in the south-west of England, Brittany in France and possibly to Ireland and Jerusalem. He founded several churches and a monastery in Wales and eventually became an archbishop. St David was canonized in 1120 and March 1 was included in the church calendar as St David's Day. People started making pilgrimages to St David’s monastery after he was canonized. A cathedral still stands on its original site. Symbols The Welsh flag, which features a red dragon on a white and green background, is often seen around the date of St David’s Day.

Many people also pin a daffodil or a leek to their clothes as symbols of Wales. St. David's Day Observances FAQ: St David's Day | National Museum Wales FAQ: St David's Day 14 June 2014 When is St David's Day? St David's Day is celebrated in Wales on 1 March, in honour of Dewi Sant or St David, the patron saint of Wales. What do we know about Dewi? Little is known about him for certain. What little information we have is based on an account of his life written by Rhigyfarch towards the end of the 11th century. When was Dewi alive? According to Rhigyfarch's Latin manuscript, Dewi died in the year 589. His mother was called Non, and his father, Sant, was the son of Ceredig, King of Ceredigion. After being educated in Cardiganshire, he went on pilgrimage through south Wales and the west of England, where it is said that he founded religious centres such as Glastonbury and Croyland. He even went on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, where he was made archbishop. Why is St David considered the Patron Saint of Wales?

St David eventually settled at Glyn Rhosyn ( St David's ), in south-west Wales, where he established a very strict ascetic religious community. Many miracles have been attributed to him, the most incredible of which was performed when he was preaching at the Synod of Llanddewibrefi - he caused the ground to rise underneath him so that he could be seen and heard by all. How much truth is in this account of his life by Rhigyfarch is hard to tell. It must be considered that Rhigyfarch was the son of the Bishop of St David's, and that the Life was written as propaganda to establish Dewi's superiority and defend the bishopric from being taken over by Canterbury and the Normans. How did St David become popular? From the 12th century onwards, Dewi's fame spread throughout South Wales and as far as Ireland and Brittany. St David's Cathedral became a popular centre of pilgrimage, particularly after Dewi was officially recognised as a Catholic saint in 1120. From this period on, he was frequently referred to in the work of medieval Welsh poets such as Iolo Goch and Lewys Glyn Cothi.

In 1398, it was ordained that his feast-day was to be kept by every church in the Province of Canterbury. Though the feast of Dewi as a religious festival came to an end with the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century, the day of his birth became a national festival during the 18th century. How is St David's Day celebrated today? Now March 1 is celebrated by schools and cultural societies throughout Wales. It is the custom on that day to wear either a leek or a daffodil - two of our national emblems - and for children to wear the national costume . St David, the patron saint of Wales By Ben Johnson | Comments March 1st is St. Davids Day, the national day of Wales and has been celebrated as such since the 12th Century. Today the celebrations usually involve the singing of traditional songs followed by a Te Bach , a tea with bara brith (famous welsh fruited bread) and teisen bach (welsh cake). Young girls are encouraged to wear national costume and leeks or daffodils are worn, being the national symbols of Wales. So who was St. David (or Dewi Sant in Welsh)?

Actually not too much is known about St David except from a biography written around 1090 by Rhygyfarch, son of the Bishop of St. Davids. David was reputedly born on a cliff top near Capel Non (Non's chapel) on the South-West Wales coast during a fierce storm. Both his parents were descended from Welsh royalty. He was the son of Sandde, Prince of Powys, and Non, daughter of a chieftain of Menevia (now the little cathedral town of St David's ). The site of Davids birth is marked by the ruins of a tiny ancient chapel close to a holy well and the more recent 18th century chapel dedicated to his mother Non can still be seen near St. David's Cathedral. St. Davids Cathedral ©Visit Britain In medieval times it was believed that St David was the nephew of King Arthur. Legend has it that the patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick - also said to have been born near the present day city of St. Davids - forsaw the birth of David in approximately 520AD.

The young David grew up to be a priest, being educated at the monastery of Hen Fynyw under the tutorage of St. Paulinus. According to legend David performed several miracles during his life including restoring Paulinus' sight. It is also said that during a battle against the Saxons, David advised his soldiers to wear leeks in their hats so that they could easily be distinguished from their enemies, which is why the leek is one of the emblems of Wales ! A vegetarian who ate only bread, herbs and vegetables and who drank only water, David became known as Aquaticus or Dewi Ddyfrwr (the water drinker) in Welsh. Sometimes, as a self-imposed penance, he would stand up to his neck in a lake of cold water, reciting Scripture! It is also said that milestones during his life were marked by the appearance of springs of water. Becoming a missionary David travelled throughout Wales and Britain and even made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem where he was consecrated bishop. He founded 12 monasteries including Glastonbury and one at Minevia (St. Davids) which he made his bishops seat.

He was named Archbishop of Wales at the Synod of Brevi (Llandewi Brefi), Cardiganshire in 550. Monastery life was very strict, the brothers having to work very hard, cultivating the land and pulling the plough. Many crafts were followed - beekeeping, in particular, was very important. The monks had to keep themselves fed as well as provide food and lodging for travellers. They also looked after the poor. St David died on 1 March 589A.D., at Minevia, allegedly over 100 years old. His remains were buried in a shrine in the 6th century cathedral which was ransacked in the 11th century by Viking invaders , who plundered the site and murdered two Welsh bishops. St. David - Patron Saint of Wales After his death, his influence spread far and wide, first through Britain and then by sea to Cornwall and Brittany. In 1120, Pope Callactus II canonised David as a Saint. Following this he was declared Patron Saint of Wales. Such was Davids influence that many pilgrimages were made to St. David's, and the Pope decreed that two pilgrimages made to St.

Davids equalled one to Rome while three were worth one to Jerusalem. Fifty churches in South Wales alone bear his name. It is not certain how much of the history of St. David is fact and how much is mere speculation. However in 1996 bones were found in St. David's Cathedral which, it is claimed, could be those of Dewi himself. Perhaps these bones can tell us more about St David: priest, bishop and patron saint of Wales. Saint David and Saint David's Day Saint David and Saint David's Day Adapted from a talk given at OICCU Meeting Point, in Regent's Park College, Monday, 28th February 1994 If you were lucky enough to be in Wales on March the first, you would find the country in a festive mood. Every self-respecting man, woman and child would be celebrating St. David's Day in one way or another. But who was St. David, and why is he so important to the Welsh? And just how is St. David's Day celebrated in Wales today? Well, Saint David, or Dewi Sant, as he is known in the Welsh language, is the patron saint of Wales.

He was a Celtic monk, abbot and bishop, who lived in the sixth century. During his life, he was the archbishop of Wales, and he was one of many early saints who helped to spread Christianity among the pagan Celtic tribes of western Britain. For details of the life of Dewi, we depend mainly on his biographer, Rhigyfarch. He wrote Buchedd Dewi (the life of David) in the 11th century. Gerallt Gymro (Giraldus Cambrensis), who wrote a book about his travels through Wales in the 12th century, also gives some information about Dewi's early life. Dewi died in the sixth century, so nearly five hundred years elapsed between his death and the first manuscripts recording his life. As a result, it isn't clear how much of the history of Dewi's life is legend rather than fact. However, both sources say, so we can be relatively certain, that Dewi was a very gentle person who lived a frugal life. It is claimed that he ate mostly bread and herbs - probably watercress, which was widely used at the time.

Despite this supposedly meagre diet, it is reported that he was tall and physically strong. Dewi is said to have been of royal lineage. His father, Sant, was the son of Ceredig, who was prince of Ceredigion, a region in South-West Wales. His mother, Non, was the daughter of a local chieftain. Legend has it that Non was also a niece of King Arthur. Dewi was born near Capel Non (Non's chapel) on the South-West Wales coast near the present city of Saint David. We know a little about his early life - he was educated in a monastery called Hen Fynyw, his teacher being Paulinus, a blind monk. Dewi stayed there for some years before going forth with a party of followers on his missionary travels. Dewi travelled far on his missionary journeys through Wales, where he established several churches. He also travelled to the south and west of England and Cornwall as well as Brittany. It is also possible that he visited Ireland. Two friends of his, Saints Padarn and Teilo, are said to have often accompanied him on his journeys, and they once went together on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem to meet the Patriarch.

Dewi is sometimes known, in Welsh, as 'Dewi Ddyfrwr' (David the Water Drinker) and, indeed, water was an important part of his life - he is said to have drunk nothing else. Sometimes, as a self-imposed penance, he would stand up to his neck in a lake of cold water, reciting Scripture. Little wonder, then, that some authors have seen Dewi as an early Puritan! He founded a monastery at Glyn Rhosyn (Rose Vale) on the banks of the small river Alun where the cathedral city of St. David stands today. The monastic brotherhood that Dewi founded was very strict, the brothers having to work very hard besides praying and celebrating masses. They had to get up very early in the morning for prayers and afterwards work very hard to help maintain life at the monastery, cultivating the land and even pulling the plough. Many crafts were followed - beekeeping, in particular, was very important. The monks had to keep themselves fed as well as the many pilgrims and travellers who needed lodgings. They also had to feed and clothe the poor and needy in their neighbourhood. There are many stories regarding Dewi's life.

It is said that he once rose a youth from death, and milestones during his life were marked by the appearance of springs of water. These events are arguably more apocryphal than factual, but are so well known to Welsh-speaking schoolchildren that it is worth mentioning them here. Perhaps the most well-known story regarding Dewi's life is said to have taken place at the Synod of Llanddewi Brefi. They were to decide whether Dewi was to be Archbishop. A great crowd gathered at the synod, and when Dewi stood up to speak, one of the congregation shouted, 'We won't be able to see or hear him'. At that instant the ground rose till everyone could see and hear Dewi. Unsurprisingly, it was decided, very shortly afterwards, that Dewi would be the Archbishop... It is claimed that Dewi lived for over 100 years, and it is generally accepted that he died in 589. His last words to his followers were in a sermon on the previous Sunday. Rhigyfarch transcribes these as 'Be joyful, and keep your faith and your creed. Do the little things that you have seen me do and heard about.

I will walk the path that our fathers have trod before us.' 'Do the little things' ('Gwnewch y pethau bychain') is today a very well-known phrase in Welsh, and has proved an inspiration to many. On a Tuesday, the first of March, in the year 589, the monastery is said to have been 'filled with angels as Christ received his soul'. Dewi's body was buried in the grounds of his own monastery, where the Cathedral of St. David now stands. After his death, his influence spread far and wide - first through Britain, along what was left of the Roman roads, and by sea to Cornwall and Brittany. St David's Day, as celebrated today, dates back to 1120, when Dewi was canonised by Pope Callactus the Second, and March 1st was included in the Church calendar. After Dewi's canonisation, many pilgrimages were made to St. David's, and it was reported that two pilgrimages there equalled one to Rome, and three pilgrimages one to Jerusalem. March 1st was celebrated until the Reformation as a holy day. Many churches are dedicated to Dewi, and some to his mother Non.

It is not certain how much of the history of St. David is fact and how much is mere speculation. At the end of 1996, bones were found in St. David's Cathedral which, it was claimed, could be those of Dewi himself. Unfortunately, these were later found to be medieval remains. Regardless of this, St. David was, and is, a very important figure to the Welsh. Naturally, then, St. David's Day is a time of great celebration in Wales. Societies all over Wales celebrate with special meetings and events. In St. David's Hall, Cardiff, each March 1st, there will be a concert featuring a 1000-member male voice choir, specially formed for the occasion. Male voice choirs are flown to all corners of the globe on St. David's Day, to entertain Welsh communities. I have my own happy, vivid and very special memories of St. David's Day as a child, which are typical of how St. David's Day is celebrated in Welsh schools. I should say that I was fortunate to be born into a Welsh-speaking family.

My mother tongue is Welsh, and it is only when we have English-speaking visitors that any English is heard within my home. Naturally, I attended a Welsh-medium primary school, where all subjects except English are taught through the medium of Welsh. St. David himself spoke an old form of Welsh fourteen centuries ago, and the Saint has become synonymous with keeping the language alive, and all that is good in the Welsh way of life. Welsh is one of the oldest living European languages, and although it has been oppressed for centuries, it has refused to die and is alive and growing today. The Welsh medium schools, which have largely been set up during the past four decades, have played an important part in making the language an everyday language as opposed to just an academic one. St. David's Day at the primary school began with a religious service in one of the chapels or churches in Carmarthen. We went to school dressed in our Welsh costumes. The girls looked charming in a pais a betgwn - a petticoat and overcoat, made of Welsh flannel, and a tall beaver hat, worn over a frilled white bonnet.

The boys wore a white shirt with a jabbot and wrist frills, a Welsh flannel waistcoat, black breeches, long woollen socks and black shoes. To complete the outfit we wore a flat beaver hat. I wore my national costume with pride until I was seven years old, and after that I had to be bribed to do so... I later wore a Welsh flannel waistcoat in honour of the great day. The pupils marched through the town, led by the Mayor and town dignitaries. People gathered to see us marching past, and to wave us on. Little did they realise that we, the sons and daughters of Welsh Wales, almost froze to death on these mornings. After all, a white shirt was little protection against the cold winds of a March morning, despite having a woollen jumper underneath. If it rained we were doubly miserable. To add to our discomfort the churches and chapels were colder and the services long. Dewi was a strict disciplinarian: he would have been proud of us. But we went back to school for a bowl of cawl - or leek broth: the traditional St. David's Day meal.

After lunch we danced Welsh dances, sang Welsh folk songs and recited Welsh poems. The highlight of the day was the judging of the longest leek competition, but I never envied the winner because he was cheered on to 'eat some of your leek'. Again, Dewi would have approved, because as you probably remember, he was also a vegetarian. At my secondary school, which was also a Welsh medium school, it was no longer compulsory to wear the Welsh costume on St. David's Day. But we still celebrated: we held an Eisteddfod - a competitive singing, dancing and reciting festival. This lasted all day and ended with an inter-house choir competition. And needless to say, all competitions were in the Welsh language. Well, I hope that you now have some idea of who St. David was, and why he is so important to the Welsh. Dewi's words still ring down through the ages. So perhaps, as we go about our lives, we would be wise to remember his very last words, and to do the little things. Saint David facts, information, pictures | Encyclopedia.com articles about Saint David COPYRIGHT 2004 The Gale Group Inc. Saint David Saint David (c. 520-c.

601) is the patron saint of doves, poets, and Wales. One source calls him "perhaps the most celebrated of British saints." An other gives him credit for evangelizing much of Wales. The body of information available about him today is thin in substantiated fact but rich with tradition, including even King Arthur and a sea monster. Saint David's mere existence may provide evidence that Christianity in Wales persisted in tact and uninterrupted since Roman times. Rhygyfarch Embellished Story Most information about Saint David comes from the writings of an eleventh-century monk named Rhygyfarch (also Rhygyvarch, Rhigyfarch, and Ricemarch), son of Bishop Sulien, of Saint David's Cathedral, Saint David's favorite of the churches he established. Rhygyfarch claimed to have gathered his information from old written sources, but those have not survived. Rhygyfarch's life of Saint David is regarded by many scholars as suspect because it contains many implausible events and because he had a stake in enhancing Saint David's history so as to support the prestige of the Welsh church and its independence from Canterbury, the center of the English church (still Catholic at the time).

According to David Hugh Farmer in The Oxford Dictionary of Saints, Rhygyfarch's history of Saint David "should be treated as propaganda, which may, however, contain some elements of true tradition." Another source considers Rhygyfarch's biography "traditional, symbolic tales of a great religious leader." Saint David's existence at least does not seem to be in doubt; it is attested to in written records from earlier dates. The earliest is an Irish Catalogue of the Saints of 730. Another is an Irish Martyrology of 800. Saint David Born One legend says Saint David's birth was foretold to Saint Patrick (about 373-464) by an angel 30 years in advance. In the traditions surrounding Saint David, his mother is said to be a woman named Non, now Saint Non, who may have been a nun at the cloister called Ty Gwyn, near Whitesand Bay. She may also have been the daughter of a chieftain in Pembrokeshire.

She is said to have been very beautiful, and it was her great beauty that is said to have driven Saint David's father, Sant, or Xantus, a local chieftain or king, perhaps related to King Arthur, to rape her. (Other traditions say Sant and Non were married, and she became a nun later in her life.) She became pregnant with Saint David. Yet another legend says that during her pregnancy she entered the church of Saint Gildas in Wales, and he was struck dumb. He realized the Welsh church must be intended for the future Saint David and left for Ireland. In any case, Non is said to have given birth during a storm (so violent as to have deterred a local ruler who planned to kill Saint David in order to eliminate a rival for power in the realm) at a spot overlooking Saint Bride's Bay, south of today's Saint David's Cathedral. The year is given variously as 454, 487, 520, 542, and 544. A medieval chapel named for Saint Non was built at the spot; it is today in ruins.

Non's son was baptized at Porth Clais by Saint Ailbhe, who may have been Non's nephew. Miracles marked the event: a new spring erupted and sight was restored to a blind monk, Movi, holding the baby. Excelled in School Saint David went to school at a monastery called Hen Vynyw, or Henfynyw, in Cardigan. Rhygyfarch wrote, "He grew up full of grace and lovely to behold. And there it was that holy David learnt the alphabet, the psalms, the lessons for the whole year and the divine office; and there his fellow disciples saw a dove with a golden beak playing at his lips and teaching him to sing the praise of God." One source points out he would have learned Latin there and studied mathematics, astronomy, and music. After Hen Vynyw, he went to an unidentified island (one source says it was the Isle of Wight) to study for the priesthood under a Welsh scribe, Saint Paulinus. A legend says that Paulinus had gone blind from crying so much as he prayed, and that Saint David restored his sight with a gentle touch.

Another legend says that an angel told Paulinus to send Saint David out to evangelize the British. Founded Monasteries As a traveling priest, Saint David is said to have founded 10 or 12 monasteries. The number is disputed, but several have been authenticated. He also allegedly cleansed deadly water at Bath and turned it into a warm and healing pool. Another legend says some monks tried to poison Saint David's bread, but Saint Schuthyn rode to Saint David one night from Ireland on the back of a sea monster to warn him, and Saint David blessed the bread, counteracting the poison. There is consensus that he ended his evangelizing travels in Mynyw, or Menevia, in extreme southwest Wales (where Saint David's Cathedral is today) and founded his major abbey there, training "many great pastors and eminent servants of God," according to Father Alban Butler on the Catholic Forum website. Butler described Mynyw as "formed by nature for solitude, being … almost cut off from the rest of the island." Another source calls the site "lovely and lonely." Wrote Strict Rule Saint David's monks followed a very strict rule "in the spirit of penance," according to Father Butler.

Others say Saint David adapted his rule from that of monks in Egypt. "Every moment of the day had its duties," wrote Amy Steedman, one interpreter of Saint David's life. Wearing animal skins, they labored in the fields, plowing without farm animals; "every man his own ox," Saint David is reported to have said. Speaking was severely restricted, and they were to pray, silently if not aloud, at all times. When not in the fields, they prayed, studied, and wrote. They ate bread, vegetables, and salt and drank only water and a little milk. Following the evening meal, the only one of the day, they prayed for three hours before going to bed, then awoke at dawn. Because he didn't allow the consumption of wine or other spirits, Saint David is nicknamed "The Waterman." The monks were to pray continuously from evening on Friday until daybreak on Sunday, with only an hour after Saturday Matins for rest.

Farmer noted, "David devoted himself to works of mercy and practised frequent genuflexions and total immersion in cold water as his favourite austerities." Father Butler wrote that if someone wished to join Saint David's monastery, he had to wait outside for 10 days, "during which time he was tried by harsh words, repeated refusals, and painful labours, that he might learn to die to himself. When he was admitted, he left all his worldly substance behind him." Combatted Pelagian Heresy A man who lived over a hundred years before Saint David played a role in the next major event in the traditional telling of Saint David's life. The monk Pelagius, born in Britain in about 354, visited Rome in approximately 380. Although Pelagius was not a priest, he was a popular religious leader who placed a high value on asceticism, or self-denial, as a way of drawing closer to God. The self-indulgent excess he saw in Rome shocked him, and he blamed it on the doctrine of salvation by grace, the idea that people cannot earn salvation by good works but that only God can bestow it.

To counteract this doctrine, which Pelagius thought led to moral degradation, he insisted humans were responsible for their own salvation. For this he was declared a heretic and excommunicated in 417 by Pope Innocent I. By the fifth century, Pelagius's heresy, called Pelagianism, was widespread in Britain. It was suppressed, but legend says it sprang up again in Saint David's lifetime, and a meeting of church officials, called a synod, took place at Brefi, in Cardigan, in about 519, to suppress it again. Saint David was invited to attend. Although he spoke to the assembly only reluctantly, his words were compelling, and legend says a hill rose up under his feet so that everyone could see and hear him and a white dove came and sat on his shoulder as he spoke. (He is represented in church art standing on his hill with the dove on his shoulder.) He not only put down the heresy, but was elected primate of the Cambrian, or Welsh, church unanimously. The incumbent primate, Dubricius, even resigned in Saint David's favor.

Saint David accepted on the condition that the headquarters of the see be transferred to his home monastery in Mynyw (now Saint David's Cathedral). Some traditions say the legendary King Arthur approved the relocation of the see. Made Pilgrimage to Jerusalem Other stories of Saint David say that after a vision, he traveled to Jerusalem with two companions to aid the patriarch, and that the patriarch of Jerusalem, John III, consecrated him archbishop. Back in Wales, he allegedly assembled a Synod of Victory to officially celebrate the end of the Pelagian heresy in Britain. This synod also presumably ratified a set of rules written by Saint David for the "regulation of the British church," but Rhygyfarch maintained the writings were lost to "age and negligence, and also … the frequent attacks of pirates." Died in Mynyw Saint David died in his monastery at Mynyw, some say at the age of 142 or 147 (he is credited with predicting the day), and an observer watched angels carry Saint David's soul up to heaven. Saint David's last words to his monks are said to be, "Be joyful, and keep your faith and your creed.

Do those little things that you have seen me do and heard about." The year of his death varies; it may have been in 560, 589, or 601. Sanctified In 1120 Pope Callistus II declared David a saint. Butler's Lives of the Saints casts doubt on a legend that the pope also declared that visiting Mynyw twice would be "equal to one visit to Rome" in indulgence value. Saint David's feast day is March 1 (his mother Saint Non's is March 3), and according to Butler's Lives, "There can … be no question that he was a highly popular saint in his own country. More than fifty pre-Reformation churches in South Wales are known to have been dedicated in his honour. Moreover, even in England, Archbishop Arundel in 1398 ordered his feast to be kept in every church throughout the province of Canterbury." Although the monastery Saint David built is gone, today's Saint David's Cathedral, much of it dating from the twelfth century, is Wales's largest cathedral. Saint David Symbolized Several symbols are associated with Saint David.

William Shakespeare referred to the Welsh custom of wearing leeks or daffodils in Saint David's honor on March 1 as "an ancient tradition begun upon an honourable request," as quoted in Farmer's Oxford Dictionary. Some say the custom comes from a battle between the Welsh and the Saxons; Saint David reportedly wanted the Welsh to wear leeks in their hats so they could recognize other Welsh. Saint David's day now is marked by festivals that feature singing, dancing, and reciting, and the leek and the daffodil are national symbols of Wales. Other symbols associated with Saint David come from yet another legend about his birth: An angel told Saint David's father, Sant, in a dream that when he went hunting the next day, he would kill a stag and find a fish and a beehive. The stag, said to eat snakes, represents Christianity's conquering Satan (the serpent); the fish represents Saint David's abstinence from liquor; and the bees represent his wisdom and spirituality. Books The Oxford Companion to British History © The Oxford Companion to British History 2002, originally published by Oxford University Press 2002. David, St ( St Dewi) (d. c.601).

Bishop of Menevia ( St Davids), and patron saint of Wales . All accounts of him are based on the c.1090 biography by Rhygyfarch (Ricemarch) which is fanciful and appears to be propaganda to bolster the primacy of St Davids. According to the legend David's birth was predicted by St Patrick while travelling in the area of Menevia. David was born in Ceredigion to St Non, a nun who had been ravished by Sant ( David's father), and there is a tenuous connection to the Cunedda family. He was educated at Vebus Rubus (Henfynyw, in Cardigan), was later ordained, became a pupil of Paulinus (possibly St Paul of Leon), and is reputed to have worked miracles. Afterwards he travelled through Wales preaching and founding monasteries. He finally settled at Mynyw ( St Davids) and began a life of intense austerity.

After a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, David attended the Synod of Brefi, where the Pelagian heresy was condemned and after which, due to his eloquence and holiness, he was elected primate of the Cambrian church with his see at Mynyw. This story is fraught with invention but his cult was well established by the 11th cent. and at least 60 churches were dedicated to him by 1200. David was canonized in 1120 by Pope Calixtus. Sandra M. Dunkin St. David's day | Wales | United Kingdom | Office Holidays: United Kingdom: St. David's Day St. David's Day Observed in Wales. Not a public holiday. When is St. David's Day? The national day of Wales is St David's Day and is always observed on 1 March. History of St. David's Day Saint David (known as Dewi Sant in the Welsh language) was a Celtic monk born towards the end of the fifth century and was Archbishop of Wales. He spread the word of Christianity across Wales, founding 11 churches across Wales and Brittany. His influence is shown by the number of churches dedicated to him in Wales.

It is always observed on 1 March, as the tradition is that he died on that day in 589 AD, though the tradition also says that he lived for over a 100 years, which would have been a mightily impressive age to get to in the sixth century. While not recognised as a the national day of Wales until the 18th Century, the feast of St David dates back to 1120 AD, when David was canonised by Pope Callactus II. St David was recognised by some as the national patron saint during the period of Welsh resistance to the Normans. St. David has had a few minor miracles associated with him, but the most famous story concerns the a large crowd who had gathered at the Synod of Llanddewi Brefi to witness the decision to make David an Archbishop. When David got up to speak, someone complained that due to the crowd, they wouldn't be able to hear him speak. At that point, the ground itself rose up, placing David above the crowd, so that everyone there could see and hear him. Needless to say, after that impressive feat, the decision to make David an Archbishop was taken. How is St. David's Day celebrated?

In 2000, the National Assembly for Wales voted unanimously to make St. David's Day a public holiday and public support in wales has remained strong. Despite this, all moves so far to make St. David's Day a bank holiday have been rejected by the British Government. This results in the situation where in the United Kingdom, Scotland and Northern Ireland have public holidays for ther patron saints, but England and Wales don't. Every year parades are held in Wales to commemorate St. David. The largest of these is held in Cardiff. On St. David's day, Welsh people may wear one or both of the national emblems of Wales on their lapel - the daffodil or the leek on this day. The tradition of wearing a leek is said to have arisen when a unit of Welsh soldiers were able to distinguish each other from troops of similarly attired English enemy soldiers by wearing leeks. On 1 March the Empire State Building will be floodlit in the national colours of Wales - red, green and white. Translate this page About Us Office Holidays provides calendars with dates and information on public holidays and bank holidays in key countries around the world. A valuable resource for planning meetings, increasing diversity awareness and general reference.

St David's Day 2016: When is the Welsh celebration and what is it all about? St David's Day 2016: When is the Welsh celebration and what is it all about? February 29, 2016 00:01 GMT St David's Day is celebrated on 1 MarchGetty St David's Day is celebrated on 1 March every year with parades, festivals and concerts to celebrate Welsh culture and the national emblems - a daffodil or leek. The day is honour of the patron saint of Wales, who died on that day in 589 AD. Happy St David's Day translates to Dydd Gwŷl Dewi (Sant) hapus. Although not a lot if known about Saint David, legend has it that he was educated in Cardiganshire and went on pilgrimages, founding religious centres across England and Wales, including one at Glastonbury in Somerset. The story states Saint David travelled as far as Jerusalem, where he was made an archbishop. He eventually settled at Glyn Rhosyn, now St Davids, in south-west Wales, where he established a religious community.

Stories say he performed miracles, most significantly, when he cause the ground to rise beneath him when preaching so everyone could see and hear him. It was believed this power could help ward off the invading Normans. When he died, it is said he told his followers: "Be cheerful and keep your faith and belief, and do the little things that you have heard and seen through me." His remains are buried at the Cathedral of St Davids in Pembrokeshire - which is a popular place of pilgrimage. The date of his death, 1 March, was declared a national day of celebration in Wales in the 18th century. Parades are held around Wales each year to commemorate Saint David, the largest of which is in Cardiff. St David's Day street parties also take place and many pin a daffodil or leek to their clothes. Children sometimes dress in traditional Welsh costumes. Welsh stew, called cawl, containing lamb and leeks is often eaten too. More about Wales St David's Day: Welsh expats celebrate around the world - BBC News BBC News St David's Day: Welsh expats celebrate around the world 1 March 2013 Read more about sharing.

Close share panel 1 March is St David's Day and Welsh expatriates around the world are celebrating their patron saint. We asked Welshmen and women in the five continents and Antarctica what they would be doing to remember their roots. Aled Williams, 33, from Graigwen, Pontypridd, now a designer at Apple at HQ in Cupertino, California, US The Californians don't see fit to celebrate St David's Day as a holiday. I put it down to too much sunshine and a general lack of male voice choirs. Image caption Aled and Rosie Williams: 'It's important to retain our Welsh identity' We still attempt to celebrate the day however. Last Dydd Dewi Sant my wife Rosie, a Llanelli girl, made a mean batch of Welsh cakes which were a big hit at work. My director Simon is from Bridgend, he rounded up a bunch of daffs and some Welsh flags, and dressed the office accordingly. This year we might go the whole hog - sprinkle coal dust on the floor, greet everyone with a 'shw mae', and teach everyone the correct meaning of the word 'tidy'.

I'll be wearing my Pontypridd RFC kit from dawn to dusk: it's surprising how many people have never heard of them seeing as they are the greatest sporting team in the history of the earth. There's a general lack of knowledge as to what Wales really is - everyone thinks of 'England' as a catch-all area that encompasses all of Wales, most of Scotland, and some of Ireland. So getting a bit of Welsh awareness circulating always helps. Another colleague, Jamie, is from near Rhyl, so we'll have some 'gog' [northern] representation too. Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones recently stopped by for a lunch visit during his trade mission to San Francisco and Silicon Valley. It's great to see such progressive measures from our top AM, and also refreshing to know that he shared my concerns about the slow ball from the ruck in this year's Six Nations. It feels important for us to retain and celebrate our Welsh identity, the hiraeth feels just as strong on St David's Day as it does on other such important days; when Ponty are playing or when mam is making corned beef pie, for example.

I'll wear my daff this Friday, and will treat the studio to some Cwm Rhondda, some Men of Harlech, and maybe some YouTube clips of Derek the Weather! Kath Leavy, 26, originally from Brecon, recently moved to Neath, now in Antarctica Image caption Kath Leavy will be saying goodbye to Antarctica and heading back to Wales on St David's Day Spending St David's Day in Antarctica is a real privilege. There won't be any leeks or daffodils because the only things which grow on this continent are mosses and lichens. I'm working at a British base called Port Lockroy, run by the United Kingdom Antarctic Heritage Trust which is a Welsh-based charity with its headquarters in Monmouthshire. The base was built in the 1950s and we now run it as a living museum. Several Welshmen worked at the base during the course of its operation. Wales has a really strong connection with Antarctica dating back to Captain Scott and the Terra Nova which departed from Cardiff. Edgar Evans, one of the five men who died with Scott on his expedition to the South Pole, was from Swansea.

This season we were joined by two Welshmen - Tudor Morgan and Michael Powell - who were carrying out structural work at a nearby base. Tudor is from Penarth and Michael is from Crickhowell near Powys. On St David's Day I'll be saying goodbye to Port Lockroy and all the penguin chicks that have hatched and will be heading northwards on a ship for the return journey home, looking forward to seeing my friends and family in Neath. Sharon Flint, 34, from Port Talbot, now in Lesotho, Southern Africa Image caption Sharon Flint is on a six month voluntary teacher programme in Lesotho I'm a teacher and mentor on the Lesotho Teacher Placement Programme, which is a six-month voluntary programme with the charity Dolen Cymru. I've been here for nearly two months already and am getting ready to celebrate St David's Day with my students and colleagues. I'm living in a small border town called Qacha's Nek in South East Lesotho, with five other Welsh teachers from across north and south Wales. We're all teaching in different schools and loving every minute of our experiences so far.

Some of our teachers have already visited Wales as part of Dolen Cymru's School Linking programme and I know many more are now very keen to take part in the link. This St David's Day all our schools are getting together for a traditional dance competition so it is a perfect opportunity for us to wave our Welsh flags and teach them some Welsh songs, dancing and maybe even a bit of tag rugby. Emma Owen, 27, from Pontypridd, now in Beijing, China Image caption Emma Owen( l) pictured with her Year 1 class at a school in Beijing celebrating St David's Day in style After learning Welsh as an adult I first became a teacher in a Welsh medium primary school in Llantrisant before deciding I wanted to see more of the world and applying for overseas teaching jobs. I moved to Beijing in August 2011 to work as a Year 1 teacher. This is my second year here and I finish in June as I am emigrating to Australia. The children are taught English and Chinese and I work with a Chinese co-teacher teaching in a bilingual environment.

The children are aged five to six and come from Korea, America, Germany, Scotland, Malaysia, Taiwan, Wales, Australia and Hong Kong. They are absolutely fascinated by Wales and constantly ask questions about it. Each morning we sing Welsh songs together and they always ask how to say things in Welsh. We will will celebrate St David's Day by dressing up in red clothing and making Welsh flags, completing Welsh art and crafts activities and, of course, singing our Welsh medley and doing the traditional folk dancing to Jac-Y-Do. We will also learn about the story of St David and why he is important to the Welsh. Basically we will just be having lots of fun and using any opportunity at all to have a good old dance and sing song. The biggest thing I miss about Wales is hearing the language and being in a Welsh-speaking environment. I really miss how friendly the Welsh people are and how you can always be greeted with a hello.

I also miss driving through the countryside as everything is so hectic and busy here all the time - it really is a millions miles away from the green green grass of home Sara Hinds, from Penarth, now in Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, Australia Image caption Sara Hinds and friend Amanda Bartlett watching last year's Australia-Wales match I work as a media officer and web content supervisor at Coffs Harbour City Council - a bit different from my old job back in Wales. Me and my partner, Richard Lehnert from Bridgend, moved to Australia in 2003 following in the footsteps of my sister and parents. We've been having a rather extreme version of Welsh weather lately so I hadn't given Dydd Dewi Sant much thought so far. But it is on Friday which has to be an excuse for something. Perhaps another viewing of Gavin and Stacey? Or Sherlock, Torchwood, Doctor Who or even maybe Casualty? In the past I've arranged to fly the Ddraig Goch outside the council building, played Stereophonics in the foyer -startling several elderly ratepayers - and forced reluctant colleagues to eat Welsh cakes (I've found it's best not to mention they're mainly made of lard!).

A surprising number of expat residents or their recent descendants turned up for this unlikely civic event as I recall. Ceri Davies, from Penarth, now in Paris Image caption Ceri Davies (centre in the navy blue polo shirt) with other members of the Paris Welsh Society, who are meeting to celebrate St David's Day on Saturday I am president of the Paris Welsh Society which has around 60 members. I've lived in Paris for six-and-a-half years, I'm married and I work as an English teacher in the public and private sector, teaching adults. It's not practical to hold our celebration on Friday, so we're holding it on Saturday night. About 45 members are due to attend. We're quite traditional when it comes to St David's Day. We're having a meal at a Paris restaurant, and we always invite someone from Wales to perform and this year it's the Welsh folk singer Gwyneth Glyn. In the past we've had harpists and singers come over. Before I joined the society Dafydd Iwan and the harpist Elinor Bennett performed. I'm set to give a speech at the St David's Day meal and I'll thank Gwyneth for coming over from Wales.

Our membership is a real mix. We have people who are working here on short contracts, others who have retired to France and people who have worked here for a number of years. Saying that, we have relatively young members, many are aged between 30 and 40, and some of us get together to watch Wales rugby and football matches. We usually arrange six or seven official events a year. Next week we're going to a Scottish pub in Paris to cheer on Wales against Scotland in the Six Nations. St. David's Day in the United States Home Calendar Holidays the United States St. David's Day St. David's Day in the United States Many Americans of Welsh origin annually celebrate the life of Wales’ patron saint, St David on March 1. It is also a time to people to remember the Welsh culture and to appreciate their Welsh origins. The Welsh flag is often seen during celebrations on the day, as well as daffodils or leeks pinned to clothing. The Welsh flag is often seen on St David's Day. The Welsh flag is often seen on St David's Day. ©iStockphoto.com/AlasdairJames What Do People Do?

Many people with Welsh ancestry or ties celebrate St David’s life and the Welsh culture in the United States. Some people may attend a special St David’s Day church service while others may cook a nice meal to share with friends or family. Meals may include herbed lamb chops, Welsh pot bread, or Caerphilly Crumble. Many groups may organize special events or parties that may include carrying the flag of Wales, dressing in traditional costumes, and wearing daffodils or leeks on clothing. The Welsh flag, a red dragon on a white and green background, is displayed prominently and a festive mood prevails. Public Life St David's Day is not a public holiday in the United States. However, it is a day of celebration so some community groups, schools, and businesses may have a special program for the day. Background St David is the patron saint of Wales. He plays a very important role in Welsh culture but little is known about his life. St David's Day was recognized officially as the national day for people of Welsh origin in the United States in 2003. The Empire State Building was floodlit in the Welsh national colors, which are red, green and white, on March 1 that year.

An article on St David’s Day in the United Kingdom covers more information about St David’s Day’s origins and symbols. St. David's Day Observances

Question: St David’s Day (the Patron Saint of Wales) is celebrated during which month of the year?
Answer: March